Is OneNote Free? Yes, Here's What a Subscription Adds (2026)

OneNote is one of Microsoft's best-kept secrets for small business owners: a free digital notebook that keeps your notes in sync across your computer, browser and phone. The only real limit on the free version is how much you can store.

What's free in OneNote

• The OneNote desktop app for Windows, which Microsoft says can be downloaded as a standalone app and used on any PC running a supported version of Windows, including Windows 10 and Windows 11
• OneNote for Mac, the web, iPhone, iPad and Android
• Cloud-connected notebooks you can open from any of those devices
• A free Microsoft account, which includes 5 GB of OneDrive cloud storage for your files

Free OneNote vs OneNote with Microsoft 365

Feature	Free	With Microsoft 365
Download and use OneNote	Yes, every supported version	Yes
Sync notebooks across devices	Yes	Yes
Cloud storage in OneDrive	5 GB with a free Microsoft account	Much more, depending on plan
Premium features such as Ink Replay, Researcher and Math Assistant	No	Yes, on supported versions
Copilot inside the desktop apps	No	Yes, for the subscription owner

Which version of OneNote should you use?

This confused a lot of people because there used to be two Windows versions. Microsoft's guidance is clear now: use OneNote, the desktop app formerly called OneNote 2016, because OneNote for Windows 10 reached end of support in October 2025. Microsoft also says you can change the default version so shared notebooks always open in the one you prefer.

On a Mac, an iPhone or Android, there's just one OneNote app for each, and it's free from the app store.

The catch: your notebooks live in your 5 GB

OneNote itself costs nothing, but your notebooks are stored in OneDrive, and a free Microsoft account comes with 5 GB of cloud storage. Text barely registers, but if you clip a lot of images, paste in screenshots or attach PDFs and audio, a busy notebook can creep up on that limit, especially if you also use OneDrive for photos or backups.

The second catch is AI. Microsoft's plan pages say Copilot in the desktop apps comes with Microsoft 365 Personal, Family or Premium, and that AI features are only available to the subscription owner and can't be shared. So if you're on someone else's Family plan, you'll have OneNote but not Copilot in OneNote. Here's how Copilot in OneNote works if you do have it.

How to start using OneNote for free

1. Create a free Microsoft account, or sign in with the one you have.
2. Download OneNote for Windows or Mac, or open it on the web or your phone.
3. Create a notebook for each area of your business, for example Clients, Content and Admin.
4. Use sections and pages inside each notebook rather than one long page.
5. Check your OneDrive storage every few months, and move big attachments out if you're near 5 GB.

My beginner's guide to OneNote covers the set-up I'd recommend, and if you're wondering about the rest of Microsoft's apps, here's whether Microsoft Office is free.

Premium features you don't get for free

Microsoft is specific about what a subscription adds on some versions. When you sign in to OneNote for Windows 10 with a compatible Microsoft 365 subscription, Microsoft says you get premium features including Ink Replay, Researcher and Math Assistant, and on OneNote for Mac a subscription adds features including Stickers. Microsoft also says Microsoft 365 brings monthly updates.

For everyday business note-taking, none of these are essential. Meeting notes, client records, content ideas and checklists all work perfectly on the free version. The features you'd pay for are extras, not the core of the app.

Free OneNote vs other free note apps

If you're choosing a free notes app for your business, OneNote's strengths are the free desktop app, the notebook, section and page structure, and the fact that it sits alongside Word and Excel if you already use Microsoft. If you mainly work in Google's apps, you may prefer to keep notes in Google Docs instead. My guide to OneNote alternatives compares the main options.

Before you rely on free OneNote: a quick checklist

• Use OneNote, the desktop app, on Windows rather than the retired Windows 10 app.
• Sign in with the Microsoft account you'll keep long term, because your notebooks live in its OneDrive.
• Keep an eye on the 5 GB OneDrive limit if you paste in lots of images, PDFs or audio.
• Set your preferred version as the default so shared notebooks open in the right app.
• If you're on someone else's Family plan, don't expect Copilot inside OneNote.

My advice

Download the desktop app, sign in and start using it today: there's no free trial clock and no feature wall that gets in the way of everyday note-taking. Only pay for Microsoft 365 if you want more storage, the premium features or Copilot inside the app, and remember the AI part only comes with your own subscription.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use OneNote on my phone for free?

Yes. OneNote is available for iPhone, iPad and Android, and Microsoft says every supported version is free to download and use.

Is OneNote for Windows 10 still supported?

No. Microsoft says OneNote for Windows 10 reached end of support in October 2025 and recommends using the OneNote desktop app instead.

Is OneNote completely free?

Yes. Microsoft says all supported versions of OneNote are free to download and use, and certain premium features come with a Microsoft 365 subscription.

Do I need Microsoft 365 to use OneNote?

No. OneNote works with a free Microsoft account. Microsoft 365 adds premium features, more storage and Copilot.

Which OneNote should I use on Windows?

Microsoft recommends OneNote, the desktop app formerly called OneNote 2016, because OneNote for Windows 10 reached end of support in October 2025.

How much storage do I get with free OneNote?

Your notebooks are stored in OneDrive, and a free Microsoft account includes 5 GB of cloud storage.

Is Copilot in OneNote free?

No. Copilot in the desktop apps comes with Microsoft 365 Personal, Family or Premium, and Microsoft says AI features are only for the subscription owner.